Your puppy's first year sets up a lifetime of protection. Vaccines are given as a series because the immunity a puppy gets from its mother fades at different times, and boosters make sure protection "takes." Here's the typical schedule following the AAHA guidelines.
Core puppy vaccines (recommended for every dog)
- DHPP — distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus-2), parvovirus and parainfluenza. A dose every 2–4 weeks from 6 to 16 weeks of age (at least three doses, the last at 16 weeks or later).
- Rabies — a single dose at 12–16 weeks. Rabies is required by law in most places.
The first-year checklist
- 6–8 weeks: DHPP (dose 1)
- 10–12 weeks: DHPP (dose 2); Leptospirosis/Lyme may start if recommended
- 14–16 weeks: DHPP (final dose) + Rabies
- At ~1 year: DHPP booster + Rabies booster
- After that: core boosters typically every 3 years; non-core yearly
Non-core vaccines (based on lifestyle)
Depending on where you live and what your puppy does, your vet may add Leptospirosis, Bordetella (kennel cough — needed for daycare or boarding), Lyme, or Canine Influenza.
Don't lose track
Missing a dose can mean restarting the series, and an overdue rabies shot can be a legal problem. Keep every date in one place and set reminders — that's exactly what a free PetsAlbum profile does: record each shot and it estimates when the next one is due.